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Centre notifies PROG Act online gaming rules; May 1, 2026 effective date
MEITY notified the rules to regulate online gaming under the PROG Act 2025, creating an Online Gaming Authority and outlining three game categories. The rules come into effect from May 1, 2026, and specify enforcement by cyber police and nodal cyber cell officers; they also state no mandatory registration for non-money online games.
Why It Matters
This establishes the regulatory framework for India's online gaming space, aiming to balance industry growth with consumer protection and legal clarity for operators.
Timeline
6 Events
MEITY notifies PROG Act rules; Online Gaming Authority to be formed
April 22, 2026
MEITY notified the rules to regulate the digital gaming space under the PROG Act, 2025, enabling the formation of the Online Gaming Authority of India and classifying games into three categories: online social games, e-sports, and online money games. The rules also specify that there will be no mandatory registration for online games that do not involve real money. Offences will be investigated by police cyber cells and nodal cyber cell officers; the process is designed to be digital with quasi-judicial powers. The norms will come into effect from May 1, 2026.
Hindustan Times reports Centre intended to notify final rules
March 2026
Hindustan Times reported in March 2026 that the Centre was set to notify the final rules under the PROG Act, 2025.
Draft PROG Act rules published
October 2, 2025
Draft rules to regulate the online gaming space under the PROG Act, 2025, were published. The rules were subsequently amended after public and stakeholder feedback.
Final rules reportedly amended after feedback
October 2025
The draft rules were amended following public and stakeholder feedback.
Presidential assent to PROG Act
August 22, 2025
The PROG Act received Presidential assent.
PROG Act online gaming rules approved in Parliament
August 21, 2025
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025, was passed in Parliament.